Lectionary for Christmas Day.
I bring you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
Collect. Almighty God and Father of light, a Child is born for us and a Son is given to us. Your eternal Word leaped down from heaven in the silent watches of the night, and now your Church is filled with wonder at the nearness of her God. Open our hearts to receive his life and increase our vision with the rising of dawn, that our lives may be filled with his glory and his peace, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Titus 2:11-14. This is a key verse in our celebration of Christmas. Here we have the Christian faith in a nut-shell! It was because of God’s grace that Jesus came but more importantly with the coming of Jesus the whole of humanity had the opportunity to see just what God’s grace was really like. (John 14:9) Furthermore the coming of Jesus brings salvation to everyone, not just the Jews or special people but to everyone. With the coming of Jesus, people’s lives can be changed for the better and a more productive and helpful life can be lived; better for us as well as for others. The cleansing and renewing that Jesus has won through his sacrifice is total as Paul says, through Jesus Christ we become a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Through Jesus we become a people linked to him, to be his very own! It is with that in mind that Titus reminds us that as his people we look forward to his coming again to rule over the creation that since the beginning he has sustained. Thus Christmas is not only the celebration of Jesus’ birth but is also an anticipation of his return to bring the whole creation back under the reign and rule of God. When that event finally happens what a great time of celebration it will be!
Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, you were born in humble surroundings for the world had no place for you. Forgive us Lord when we are constantly surprised that the world still rejects you in all the ways that humanity can devise. Help us to be both faithful to your call upon us and open to the new prospects of life that your birth brings. May we be filled with new hope as we see again that you have a plan for all humanity despite their self-will and disobedience. May we lift our hands and hearts in praise to you. This we ask in the name of Jesus born to be king. Amen
Reading. Luke 2:1-14. This is a very familiar passage which is regularly read at Christmas and reminds us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It is such a familiar passage that it is easy to read from beginning to end with a sense that we know and understand it quite well, but is that always the case? Luke names the Emperor as well as the governor of Syria. By doing this Luke has given us a clear date and so has anchored the birth in human history. More than that Luke has also given us a firm understanding that the God who sent Jesus to be born is also the God who controls the secular rulers of the world and indeed uses them in order to fulfil his plans and purpose. Readers of the Old Testament will be familiar with the idea that God often uses foreign kings and rulers and here Luke is reinforcing that understanding. Then Luke reminds us of the family lineage that Jesus was to hold; that he was in the line of David the ancient and revered king from whom the ruling Messiah was to come. However though Luke does not hesitate to remind us that his birth was miraculous he also reminds us that this Jesus is fully embedded in the prophetic promises of Israel for he is of the house and family of David. Perhaps we could suggest that Jesus is not only heavenly linked, he is also just as surely earthly linked as well. To quote Wesley’s well known hymn phrase, “Our God contracted to a span; incomprehensively made man”! Thus God brings him to the promised place and without pomp or ceremony he is born in humble surroundings. Yet here as well, Luke reminds us that there was no place for him to be properly welcomed. A human birth in a humble setting and yet strangely out of step with the world to which he came.
Luke then changes direction with his introduction of the shepherds. Today we most often present them with smiley faces and tea-towels on their heads. Sadly that is not the picture that Luke has in mind for the shepherds were considered the lowest strata of Jewish society. Shepherds were habitually, ritually unclean, for they were unable to wash ceremoniously and unable to attend the obligatory festivals. Shepherds were outcasts and yet it is to them that the whole army of God announces the birth Messiah. At the beginning of Luke’s story it is the shepherds who are addressed as favoured ones. It is an unusual introduction which heralds the Messiah and yet it is a theme that Luke will persist with; anyone who accepts this Messiah will find in him a welcomed salvation.
Prayer. Lord we thank you for the message of your salvation made known to us in Jesus. We thank you for all those who believe the truth contained in this great revelation. We pray for those who still need to come to faith and hear for themselves the voice of God calling them; for they are being called out of darkness and into the marvellous light of Jesus Christ.As we approach the Christmas season, we wait with hearts longing for a new experience of your coming. Help us to see with new and child-like eyes the events that you have planned for the salvation of the world. Help us to see that you include all people into your plan and at this time may we too be more inclusive in our thinking and praying. May we reach out to those in need, seeing them with the new eyes that you give to us. So may our celebration of Christmas be acceptable to you and a blessing to others. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, the king born in a stable. Amen
Collect. O God our Father, whose Word has come among us in the Holy Child of Bethlehem: may the light of faith illumine our hearts and shine in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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